How Fin Material Can Improve your Surfing

Ultra Light
Ultra light was developed by FCS to create the lightest possible fin with suprerior flex properties while ensuring strength and foil accuracy. By minimising weight without sacrificing response of flex and strength. Ultra-Light Epoxy is our lead construction process delivering the ultimate in performance.

Performance Core
Performance Core material and construction is designed to deliver the feeling of a traditional fibreglass fin with the added performance of reduced weight. The RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) process produces a lightweight fin with remarkable flex, a smooth feel and an impressive aesthetic.

Glass Flex
Glass Flex has been formulated to replicate the flex and memory properties of hand layed fibreglass. It's advantages over other composite fin materials include stiffness, a more positive flex pattern (nice tip flex, little base flex) and remarkable flex memory. The precision of the injection moulding process ensures the highest accuracy in geometry in each fin produced.

The Impact Of Fin Technologies On Your Surfing

Tricoil Technology
Multi-directional flex pattern harnesses energy and de-coils through turns, giving back to the surfer in the form of speed and acceleration.

Bamboo Core Technology
Lightweight bamboo core foiled to mimic the actual foil of the fin producing a unified flex between materials. As bamboo is bias towards the grain, the natural flex of this wood further enhances the directional flex of the fin.

Snap-Back Technology
Carbon inside face produces a high tension ‘snap back’ flex pattern through the top of the fin. Highly responsive and very popular among the world’s best surfers.

Understanding FCS Fin Characteristics

All FCS fins are classified by the following characteristics; Base, Depth, Area, Sweep and Foil.

Understanding how these fin characteristics can change the performance of your surfboard is an important consideration when working out which FCS fins are best for you. Each of the following fin characteristics are clearly listed on each each fin page, allowing you to evaluate the impact that a fin design would have on your surfing.

BASE

Base is the length between the leading and trailing edge where the fin meets the board. Base is primarily linked to drive. Fins with a longer base will offer substantially more drive and acceleration.

DEPTH

Depth is the distance the fin penetrates into the water. Depth directly relates to hold. The greater the depth the more hold, the shorter the depth the more a board will slide and release.

AREA

Area is the total surface area of the fin.

SWEEP

Sweep is the angle measuring how far the outline of the fin is curved backwards; also referred to as rake. Sweep has a direct influence on pivot. Fins with more sweep produce a longer turning arc, less sweep offers a tighter turning arc.

FOIL

Foil refers to the shape and geometry of the inside and outside faces of the fin. Foils directly affect the flow of water over the surface of the fin. Different foils create variations in water flow and have a direct link to the overall performance of the fin and the board.

FLAT FOIL: A flat inside face combined with a convex outside face. The traditional flat sided foil offers an even combination of drive, pivot and hold and provides a very consistent, reliable feel over a wide variety of conditions.

INSIDE FOIL: A sophisticated hydrodynamic foil consisting of a convex outside face, a rounded leading edge and a concaved inside face. Inside foil increases the efficiency of water flow over the surface of the fin adding lift and reducing drag. The result is a fin with more options through increased hold and speed.

50/50 FOIL: A symmetrical foil used on all centre fins where both sides are convex. Even water flow on both sides creates stability and control.

70/30 or 80/20 FOIL: Combines the performance of a centre and side fin offering increased speed, smooth rail-to-rail transitions and a consistent feel in a variety of conditions. (Ideal for all board types and rear fin placements)